JP6040848B2 - Information processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

  In Patent Document 1, a questionnaire is displayed on a customer display device connected to a POS (point of sale) register, and the questionnaire response input to the customer input device connected to the POS register is displayed. A technique for storing and holding in association with customer payment information is described.

JP 2012-173907 A

  An object of the present invention is to obtain answers to more questions when presenting questions to a user.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, the basis of the first information processing means for performing first processing for providing a service to the user, the first information processing performed by the first information processing means Presenting means for presenting a question to the user who uses the service provided by the user, receiving means for accepting the user's answer to the question presented by the presenting means, and second information processing relating to the fee of the service Second information processing means for performing the processing for collecting the fee determined for the service to the user when the accepting means does not accept the user's reply. Processing, and when the accepting means accepts the user's answer, the processing for reducing the determined fee or the processing for not collecting the determined fee Comprising a second information processing means for performing a second information processing and the identification information acquiring means for acquiring identification information identifying the product, the first information processing unit, identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring means Processing for providing a user with content related to the product as the first information processing, the presenting means presents a question regarding the product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring means, When the identification information is acquired by the identification information acquisition means, the second information processing means performs a process for collecting a fee for the service from an operator related to the product identified by the identification information. The second information processing is performed .

An information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a determining unit that determines the number of questions to be presented to the user based on an operation of the user. The means presents the number of questions determined by the determining means, and the second information processing means provides the user with a profit of a magnitude corresponding to the number determined by the determining means. The second information processing is performed .

An information processing apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention is the configuration according to claim 2 , further comprising attribute acquisition means for acquiring the attribute of the user, wherein the second information processing means is determined by the determination means. Is a process for providing the user with a profit of a size corresponding to the number of attributes received by the attribute acquisition means and the contents of the question presented by the presentation means or by the reception means. The second information processing is characterized in that a process of changing the magnitude of the profit according to a relationship with the given user's answer is performed.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention is the configuration according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the second information processing means uses the profit of a size corresponding to the number determined by the determination means. Processing according to the relationship between the location where the device is installed and the content of the question presented by the presenting means or the answer of the user accepted by the accepting means The processing for changing the magnitude of the profit is performed as the second information processing.

An information processing apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention provides identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a product, and content related to the product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means to a user. The first information processing means for performing the first information processing for providing the identification information acquisition means to the user who uses the service provided based on the first information processing performed by the first information processing means. Presenting means for presenting a question about the product identified by the identification information acquired by the receiving means, accepting means for accepting the user's answer to the question presented by the presenting means, and second information processing relating to the service fee The second information processing means for performing the service, and when the accepting means does not accept the user's answer, the fee determined for the service Is collected as the second information process, and when the accepting means accepts the user's answer, the service fee is related to the product identified by the identification information. And a second information processing means for performing processing for collecting from the business operator as the second information processing .

An information processing apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention is based on first information processing means for performing first information processing for providing a service to a user, and first information processing performed by the first information processing means. Presenting means for presenting a question to the user who uses the service provided by the user, accepting means for accepting the user's answer to the question presented by the presenting means, and use associated with the answer A means for obtaining user identification information for identifying a user, and a process for providing the user with a profit of a magnitude corresponding to the status of the user's answer, with a value used in commercial transactions A second information processing means for outputting value information indicating a value corresponding to the status of the user's response that has been received, and the user's response status in the past as the status of the user's response; Said interest Characterized by comprising a second information processing means using the responses of the associated answer identification information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for performing first information processing means for performing first information processing for providing a service to a user and first information processing performed by the first information processing means. Presenting means for presenting a question to the user who uses the service provided on the basis thereof, receiving means for accepting the user's answer to the question presented by the presenting means, and second information relating to a charge for the service A second information processing means for performing processing, wherein if the accepting means does not accept the user's reply, a process for collecting the fee determined for the service to the user Processing as information processing, and when the accepting means accepts the user's reply, the processing for reducing the determined fee or the determined fee was not collected And the second information processing means for performing the process as the second information processing, and the identification information acquisition means for acquiring the identification information for identifying the product. The first information processing means is acquired by the identification information acquisition means. The process for providing the user with content related to the product identified by the identification information is performed as the first information processing, and the presenting means relates to the product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means. When the identification information is acquired by the identification information acquisition unit, the second information processing unit collects a fee for the service from a business operator related to the product identified by the identification information. The processing for this is performed as said 2nd information processing .

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to acquire content relating to a product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring means for acquiring the identification information for identifying the product and the identification information acquiring means. The first information processing means for performing the first information processing for providing to the user and the user who uses the service provided based on the first information processing performed by the first information processing means for obtaining the identification information Presenting means for presenting a question regarding the product identified by the identification information acquired by the means; receiving means for accepting the user's answer to the question presented by the presenting means; and second information relating to the service fee A second information processing means for performing processing, wherein the receiving means does not accept the user's answer; When the processing for collecting the determined fee to the user is performed as the second information processing, and the accepting unit accepts the user's answer, the fee for the service is identified by the identification information. It is made to function as the 2nd information processing means which performs processing for collecting from a business concerning a product to be processed as the 2nd information processing .

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for performing first information processing means for performing first information processing for providing a service to a user and first information processing performed by the first information processing means. Presenting means for presenting a question to the user who uses the service provided on the basis thereof, receiving means for accepting the user's answer to the question presented by the presenting means, and associated with the answer, An acquisition means for acquiring user identification information for identifying a user, and a process for providing the user with a profit of a magnitude corresponding to the status of the user's answer, and a value used in a commercial transaction Second information processing means for outputting value information indicating a value of a magnitude corresponding to the status of the received user's answer, and in the past as the status of the user's answer, Characterized in that function as a second information processing means using the number of answers respondents associated with the user identification information of the use's.

According to the inventions according to claims 1 , 5, 7 and 8 , when presenting a question to the user, compared to a case where the second information processing according to whether or not an answer to the question has been accepted is performed, It is possible to promote sales of products as compared to the case where answers to more questions are obtained and the second information processing using the product identification information is not performed.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to make it easier to answer to the end when the number of questions increases, compared to the case where the number of questions based on the user's operation is not determined.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, compared with the case where provision of the profit based on a user's attribute is not performed, it can make it easy to obtain a reply with high value to utilize.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, compared with the case where the provision of the profit based on the place where the own apparatus is installed is not performed, it can make it easy to obtain a reply with high use value.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 6, 9, when a question is shown to a user, the answer to more questions is obtained compared with the case where the 2nd information processing using the number of answers to a question is not performed. be able to.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration realized by an image forming apparatus. FIG. The figure which shows the example of the presented question. The figure which shows an example of a profit table. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the image forming apparatus in a charging process. The figure which shows an example of a value information table. The figure which shows an example of the displayed selection image. The figure which shows an example of a service kind table. The figure which shows an example of a service content table. The figure which shows an example of the function structure in 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of an association table. The figure which shows an example of a profit table. The figure which shows an example of an association table. The figure which shows an example of the function structure in a modification. The figure which shows an example of the displayed determination image. The figure which shows an example of a profit table. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration realized by an image forming apparatus according to a modification. The figure which shows an example of a collection destination table.

[1] First Embodiment [1-1] Hardware Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 provides a service to a user by forming an image on a medium such as paper, and also presents a question to the user and accepts an operation for answering the question. It is. The question presented by the image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, for obtaining an answer that can be used for marketing (an answer that represents a user's needs or attributes).

  Services provided to users include, for example, photos stored on smartphones and print services that output specified websites to media, and copies that read images drawn on paper and output them to media A service, a scan service for generating image data indicating a read image, and a facsimile service for transmitting a facsimile. In addition, a service (hereinafter referred to as “content service”) that outputs an image indicating content such as information on surrounding areas, information on movies, information on learning, information on sports, and the like is provided. In any of the above services, an image is output or read. Hereinafter, these services are referred to as “image services”. In the following embodiments, a case where an image service is provided to a user as an example of a “service” in the present invention will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation unit 14, a communication unit 15, an image forming unit 16, an image reading unit 17, and a charging unit 18. It is. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a real time clock. The CPU is stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12 using the RAM as a work area. It is means for controlling the operation of each device by executing a program. The real time clock calculates the current date and time and notifies the CPU.

  The storage unit 12 includes a flash memory, a hard disk, and the like, and stores data, programs, image data, and the like used by the control unit 11 for control. The display unit 13 includes a liquid crystal display and the like, and is a means for displaying an image on the display surface. The operation unit 14 is an accepting unit that includes an operation element such as a touch panel or a button superimposed on a display surface, and accepts a user operation. By supplying operation data corresponding to a user operation received by the operation unit 14 to the control unit 11, the control unit 11 performs processing according to the operation data.

  The communication unit 15 includes a communication circuit for performing communication, and is means for performing communication with an external device. The communication unit 15 is connected to a network such as the Internet (not shown) and communicates with an external device via the network. The communication unit 15 supplies received data received by communication to the control unit 11. The image forming unit 16 is a unit that forms an image on a medium such as paper. For example, the image forming unit 16 uses four color toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) to perform electrophotography. An image is formed on the paper by the method. For example, when the facsimile function or the image forming function is executed, the image forming unit 16 forms the image indicated by the image data on the recording medium, and outputs the image data to the medium. The image reading unit 17 is a unit that optically reads an image formed on a medium such as paper. The image reading unit 17 supplies image data indicating the read image to the control unit 11.

  The billing unit 18 is a means for billing a user who uses the service with money such as coins and bills or electronic money. The accounting unit 18 includes, for example, storage means for storing money such as coins and banknotes, and payment means for paying the change. When notified of the amount to be charged from the control unit 11, the charging unit 18 determines whether or not the money stored by the storage unit is greater than or equal to the notified amount. If the billing unit 18 determines that the money is not received, the billing unit 18 waits until the money is stored. If the billing unit 18 determines that the amount is equal to or more than the notified amount, the billing unit 18 pays the change by the payment means. When electronic money is used, the billing unit 18 performs the above storage and payment by communication based on NFC (Near Field Communication), for example. The storage and payment processing performed by the billing unit 18 is hereinafter referred to as “storage processing”.

[1-2] Functional Configuration The image forming apparatus 10 receives a user's answer to the presented question based on the above hardware configuration, and performs a charging process for charging the service provided to the user. The storage unit 12 stores a program for performing charging processing. The control unit 11 executes the program to control each unit, thereby realizing the functions described below.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration realized by the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a first information processing unit 101, a presentation unit 102, a receiving unit 103, and a second information processing unit 104.

[1-2-1] First information processing means 101
The first information processing unit 101 is an example of a unit that performs first information processing for providing an image service to a user. In this embodiment, an image service is provided for a fee. That is, the first information processing unit 101 performs first information processing for providing a paid image service. The first information processing unit 101 performs processing according to the provided image service as the first information processing. An example of the first information processing will be described below.

  The first information processing unit 101 is a function realized by the control unit 11, the display unit 13, the communication unit 15, the image forming unit 16, and the image reading unit 17. For example, in a print service, image data transmitted from an external device such as a smartphone or a web server is supplied to the control unit 11 via the communication unit 15, and the control unit 11 forms an image indicated by the image data. The unit 16 is controlled to output to the medium. In the scan service, image data of an image read by the image reading unit 17 is supplied to the control unit 11, and after the control unit 11 displays the image data on the display unit 13, for example, by a user. The data is transmitted to the designated destination via the communication unit 15. In the content service, the control unit 11 controls, for example, content stored in advance in the storage unit 12 or content supplied from an external device via the communication unit 15 to the medium by controlling the image forming unit 16. Output. The above is an example of the first information processing.

  The first information processing unit 101 performs the first information processing as described above, and notifies the second information processing unit 104 of the contents of the image service provided based on the first information processing. The content of the image service is, for example, the content of how many pieces of content are output in the case of a content service. This content is used to calculate a fee to be paid by the user.

  In addition, the first information processing unit 101 notifies the presenting unit 102 of this at the timing when the first information processing is performed and the provision of the image service is started. For example, in the case of a print service or a content service, the first information processing unit 101 notifies at the timing when an operation for starting output of an image is performed by the user after selection of paper and selection of the number of sheets are completed. If it is a copy service or a scan service, a notification is sent at the timing when the user performs an operation to set paper and start copying or scanning.

[1-2-2] Presenting means 102
The presentation unit 102 is an example of a unit that presents a question to a user who uses a service provided based on the first information processing performed by the first information processing unit 101. The presenting unit 102 is a function realized by the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the display unit 13, for example. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 12 stores a question for obtaining an answer that can be utilized for marketing from a user. Specifically, for example, questions about physical characteristics such as age and gender, questions about the living environment such as current address and family structure, questions about skills such as occupation and special skills, questions about preferences such as hobbies and collections, Questions related to the field of products of interest and questions regarding future activities are stored.

When notified from the first information processing means 101 that the provision of the image service is started, the control unit 11 calls any question stored in the storage unit 12 and causes the display unit 13 to display the question. Then present the question to the user.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the presented question. In FIG. 3A, an image (hereinafter referred to as “question image”) on the display surface 131 of the display unit 13 with a character string “Question 1” and a character string “What is your year?” A1) is displayed. Also, in FIG. 3B, a question image including a character string “Question 2” and a character string “Please select one that is performed at least once a month from the following” on the display surface 131. A2 is displayed. The presentation unit 102 presents the question as described above, and notifies the reception unit 103 and the second information processing unit 104 of the content of the presented question.

  In addition, the presenting unit 102 displays an image (hereinafter referred to as “progress status”) indicating a situation (progress status) in which processing (hereinafter referred to as “service processing”) relating to the image service provided by the first information processing unit 101 is progressing on the display surface 131. E1) is displayed. The progress status image E1 indicates the progress status by the ratio that the area surrounded by the rectangle is occupied by a smaller rectangular image. In the present embodiment, the presenting means 102 continues to present the question until the progress status indicated by the progress status image E1 indicates the end (that is, until the service processing ends). This is notified to the second information processing means 104.

[1-2-3] Accepting means 103
The accepting unit 103 is an example of a unit that accepts a user's answer to the question presented by the presenting unit 102. The accepting unit 103 is a function realized by the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, the display unit 13, and the operation unit 14, for example. The storage unit 12 stores an image (hereinafter referred to as “manipulator image”) indicating an operator for answering a question represented by a question image as shown in FIG. The control unit 11 causes the display unit 13 to display an operation element image corresponding to the content of the question notified from the presentation unit 102.

  In the example of FIG. 3A, the operator image B1 displayed by the control unit 11 is shown. The manipulator image B1 is an image representing a plurality of manipulators each including ten numbers from “0” to “9” and a character string “correction”. When the user operates the operator image B1 and inputs a number, the operation unit 14 supplies operation data indicating the user's answer to the control unit 11. In this example, operation data indicating input of numbers “2” and “5” is supplied, and the control unit 11 is an image representing an answer to the question represented by the question image A1 (hereinafter referred to as “answer image”). The answer image C1 including the character string “25 years old” is displayed. In addition, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 13 to display an image (hereinafter referred to as “confirmed image”) D1 that includes a character string “answer” and for confirming the answer. When the user performs an operation of selecting the confirmed image D1, the control unit 11 receives the answer represented by the answer image C1 (the answer “25 years old” in this example) as an answer to the question represented by the question image A1. .

  In the example of FIG. 3B, the operator image B2 displayed by the control unit 11 is shown. The manipulator image B2 is an image representing a plurality of manipulators each including sports names “tennis”, “baseball”, “soccer”, “golf”, “mountain climbing”, “jogging”, “fishing” and “surfing”. It is. When the user operates the operator image B2 to select one or more operators, the operation unit 14 supplies operation data indicating the user's answer to the control unit 11. In this example, operation data indicating operation elements including “baseball” and “fishing” is supplied, and the control unit 11 emphasizes an image of the operation element that represents an answer to the question represented by the question image A2 (this In the example, the outline line is thickened). When the user performs an operation of selecting the confirmed image D1, the control unit 11 displays the answer (the answers “baseball” and “fishing” in this example) represented by the highlighted operator in the operator image B2 as the question image. Accepted as an answer to the question represented by A2. The accepting unit 103 accepts the user's answer as described above, and notifies the second answering unit 104 of the accepted answer.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the accepting unit 103 accepts an input number or an answer selected from eight options as an answer to a question. An alphabet or the like may be accepted as an answer, or an answer selected from an option other than eight options such as two choices may be accepted. Also, the number of options selected by the user may be limited to a certain number such as one or two, or the number selected may not be limited as in the example of FIG. Also good.

[1-2-4] Second information processing means 104
The second information processing unit 104 is an example of a unit that performs processing related to image service charges (hereinafter referred to as “second information processing”). In the present embodiment, the second information processing unit 104 provides the user with a profit of a magnitude corresponding to the status of the user's answer received by the receiving unit 103 (hereinafter referred to as “answer status”). Processing is performed as second information processing. More specifically, the second information processing unit 104 reduces the fee determined for the image service (hereinafter referred to as “service fee”) according to the received user response status (this has been described above for the user). Is a process for providing profits) as the second information processing. The answer status here refers to the status related to the answer that the user has made so far. For example, the answer status that the user has given from the start of presentation of the question to the end of the question is displayed. Number (hereinafter referred to as “number of responses”). The second information processing unit 104 is a function realized by the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the charging unit 18, for example. The storage unit 12 stores a profit table in which the response status (the number of answers in this example) is associated with the magnitude of profit.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the profit table. In this example, the response status (number of responses) of “less than 3”, “3 or more and less than 6”, and “6 or more” is “10% reduction”, “20% reduction” and “30% reduction”. Profits are associated with each other. The control unit 11 is notified of the answer received from the receiving unit 103 and the presentation unit 102 is notified that the presentation of the question has ended. The control unit 11 refers to the profit of the user associated in the profit table with the number of answers notified before the notification that the presentation of the question is finished (this is the number of answers). For example, when the number of answers is five, the control unit 11 refers to the profit “20% reduction” associated with “3 or more and less than 6”.

  Further, the control unit 11 is notified from the first information processing means 101 of the content of the provided image service (for example, the content of how many pieces of content are output per sheet). For example, it is assumed that the content that five lyrics of 50 yen per sheet are output is notified in the lyrics print service. The control unit 11 calculates the amount charged to the user based on the notified content (in this example, 50 yen × 5 sheets = 250 yen). The amount calculated in this way represents the service fee of the image service provided based on the first information processing performed by the first information processing means 101.

  The control unit 11 reduces the service fee so that the profit referred to as described above is provided to the user. If the profit of the user is reduced by 20% as in the above example, the control unit 11 calculates a fee of 200 yen that is 20% less than the calculated 250 yen, that is, 50 yen. The control unit 11 notifies the charging unit 18 of the calculated fee as an amount to be charged. The accounting unit 18 performs storage processing based on the notified amount. This storage process is also one of the second information processing. The amount thus charged reflects the user's profit (50 yen in this example). That is, the user is provided with the profit for the reduced fee. As described above, as the second information processing, the second information processing unit 104 reduces the service fee according to the answer status, that is, a process for providing the user with a profit corresponding to the answer status. I do.

Note that the second information processing unit 104 may perform a process for not collecting the service fee according to the answer status in addition to the above-described reduction process or instead of the reduction process. In this case, for example, the second information processing unit 104 performs a process for not collecting the service fee when the answer status of the number of answers is 10 or more. The process for not collecting the service fee is, for example, a process for notifying the charging unit 18 as a charge amount of 0 yen or a process for not performing the notification to the charging unit 18 itself.
As described above, the second information processing unit 104 performs a process of reducing the service fee according to the answer situation or a process according to the answer situation as a process for providing the user with a profit corresponding to the answer situation. Any service that does not collect service charges may be used.

[1-2-5] Regarding the answer situation The answer situation is not limited to the number of answers described above. The answer status may be, for example, the time elapsed from when the question is presented until the answer operation is accepted, that is, the time required for the answer (hereinafter referred to as “answer time”). When the user answers a plurality of questions, the second information processing unit 104 sets the average or median time required for each answer as the answer time. If the time required for the service processing described above is common, it is estimated that a user with a short response time has answered more questions than a user with a long response time. In this case, the second information processing unit 104 performs, for example, a process for providing a second user with a greater benefit than the first user to a second user whose response time is shorter than that of the first user. As information processing.

  In addition, there is a case where information (hereinafter referred to as “user identification information”) for identifying the user who made the answer is acquired in association with the answer accepted by the accepting unit 103. For example, the storage process by the charging unit 18 is performed by NFC communication, and the user identification information is acquired by the communication. In this case, the second information processing means 104 displays the answer associated with the user identification information of the user who made the answer to the question, that is, the answer number and answer time of the answer made by the user in the past. It is good also as an answer situation.

  For example, it is estimated that a user with a large number of answers made in the past answers more questions than a user with a small number of answers made in the past. For example, the second information processing unit 104 performs second information processing for providing the user with a profit having a magnitude corresponding to the number of answers (or answer time) including those performed in the past. More specifically, the second information processing unit 104 provides a second user with a larger profit than the first user to a second user who has more answers than the first user. The second information processing, or a process for providing a second user with a larger profit than the first user to the second user whose past response time is shorter than that of the first user is used as the second information processing. Do.

  In short, the answer status is the answer accepted by the accepting means 103, that is, the status of the answer so far made by the user. From the situation, the number of answers the user has made so far and Any situation may be used as long as the number of possible answers is estimated.

[1-3] Operation The image forming apparatus 10 performs the above-described charging process (processing for charging a service provided to the user) based on the above configuration. An operation performed by the image forming apparatus 10 in the charging process will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in the accounting process. The charging process is started when the user performs an operation for starting an image service (hereinafter referred to as “start operation”).

  First, the image forming apparatus 10 accepts an image service start operation by a user (step S11), and starts the first information processing described above (step S12). Thereby, an image service based on the first information processing is provided to the user. Steps S11 and S12 are operations performed by the first information processing unit 101. Next, the image forming apparatus 10 presents a question as shown in FIG. 3, for example, to the user (step S13). Step S <b> 13 is an operation performed by the presentation unit 102. Subsequently, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not the provision of the image service has ended (step S14). If it is determined that the image service has not ended (NO), the user for the question is determined. Is received (step S15). Step S15 is an operation performed by the accepting unit 103.

  After the operation in step S15 (acceptance of answer), the image forming apparatus 10 returns to step S13 (presentation of the question) and operates. If the image forming apparatus 10 determines in step S14 that the provision of the image service has ended (YES), the image forming apparatus 10 ends the presentation of the question (step S16). Step S <b> 16 is an operation performed by the presentation unit 102. Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 10 performs processing relating to the charge for the image service, that is, second information processing (step S17). In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 performs a process of reducing the service fee according to the answer status such as the number of answers accepted in step S15 (that is, the number of answers described above), and reflects the benefit to the user thereby. Perform the billing process. Step S17 is an operation performed by the second information processing means 104. Thus, the image forming apparatus 10 ends the billing process.

[1-4] Effect of the Invention For example, in a configuration in which a common benefit is provided to the user regardless of how they are answered (the above-mentioned “common configuration”), the user can answer 10 questions even if they answer one question. There is no motivation to answer many questions because the reduced fee does not change even if you answer individually. In the present embodiment, as shown in the example of FIG. 4, the user can obtain a larger profit by increasing the rate of reduction as the number of responses increases. This creates a motivation for the user to answer more questions to gain greater profits. Therefore, in this embodiment, when a question is presented to the user, more answers to the question are obtained compared to the common configuration described above.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 provides a benefit to the user by reducing a charge for a paid image service provided by the image forming apparatus 10 itself. In order to provide benefits to the user in other ways, the user needs to conduct other commercial transactions. In the present embodiment, even when the user uses only the image service (an example of the service in the present invention), more answers to questions are obtained as compared to the common configuration described above.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 presents questions during a period from when the service process is started to when it is ended. This period is a period just waiting for an image such as content to be output. Therefore, it is easier for the user to answer the question than when the question is presented during other periods.

[2] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the benefit is provided to the user by a method of reducing the charge for the image service. In the second embodiment, the benefit is provided to the user by a method different from that.

[2-1] Functional Configuration The second information processing unit 104 according to the present embodiment performs a process of outputting information indicating value used in a commercial transaction (hereinafter referred to as “value information”) as the second information processing. Commerce refers to purchasing goods or paying for the provision of benefits such as transportation and accommodation. The value information is used when, for example, a commercial transaction is performed at a specific store or a specific electronic commerce site, and so-called coupons or points are examples. When such value information is used in a commercial transaction, the value that the price of the product is reduced, or when the product is purchased at a certain price, the quantity of the product and the period of use of the product (for example, rental video rental period) ) And the value of improving the quality and grade of the product is provided to the user. These values represent the benefits provided to the user.

In addition, the second information processing unit 104 performs a process of outputting value information indicating the value of the magnitude according to the received answer status of the user as the second information processing. That is, the second information processing unit 104 performs a process of outputting value information as a process for providing the user with a profit of a magnitude corresponding to the answer status described in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the second information processing unit 104 is realized by, for example, the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, the communication unit 15, and the image forming unit 16. The storage unit 12 stores a value information table in which the answer status is associated with the value indicated by the value information.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the value information table. In this example, the value information “10% increase”, “20% increase” and “30% increase” is added to the response status (number of responses) “less than 3”, “3 or more and less than 6” and “6 or more”. The value to be shown (that is, the profit of the user) is associated. The value shown in FIG. 6 is used in a commercial transaction in which a product that is sold in units of g (grams) such as meat and prepared dishes is purchased.

  For example, the control unit 11 specifies the value associated with the number of responses based on the notification from the reception unit 103 and the notification from the presentation unit 102 in the value information table, and displays the value information indicating the specified value as the image forming unit. 16 is controlled to output to the medium. Further, the control unit 11 causes the value information to be output to a communication terminal possessed by the user via the communication unit 15. Value is provided to the user by showing the value information thus output to the store clerk when purchasing the product at the store or the like. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, if the number of responses is five, the value that the amount of the purchased product is increased by 20%, that is, profit is provided to the user. As described above, the second information processing unit 104 performs the second information processing (processing for outputting value information) in the present embodiment.

[2-2] Effects of the Invention In the present embodiment, since the value of the magnitude according to the answer status of the user, that is, profit is provided to the user, the common configuration described above is used as in the first embodiment. In comparison, you will get answers to more questions. Further, in this embodiment, even if the image service provided by the image forming apparatus 10 is free of charge, for example, a benefit is provided to the user by the value used in another commercial transaction. That is, in this embodiment, even if the image service is paid or free of charge, more answers to the questions are obtained compared to the above-described common configuration.

[3] Third Embodiment Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first and second embodiments described above. In the first embodiment, the user is provided with a benefit by a method of reducing the fee for the image service (hereinafter referred to as “first method”), and in the second embodiment, a method of outputting value information (hereinafter referred to as “the first method”). In the third embodiment, either or both of these methods are selected by the user. Hereinafter, a method for performing both the first and second methods is referred to as a “third method”.

[3-1] Functional Configuration In the present embodiment, the second information processing unit 104 provides an image service corresponding to the answer status as a process for providing the user with the profit corresponding to the answer status described above. Processing to reduce charges, processing not to collect service charges according to the response status, and processing to output value information indicating the value used in commercial transactions and the value corresponding to the status of the response Of these, the one selected by the user is performed as the second information processing. These processes selected by the user may be one, two, or three.

  In the present embodiment, the second information processing unit 104 is realized by, for example, the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, the display unit 13, and the operation unit 14. The storage unit 12 stores an image (hereinafter referred to as “selected image”) for performing the above selection. For example, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 13 to display the selected image when the provision of the service by the first information processing unit 101 is finished and the presentation of the question by the presentation unit 102 is finished.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the displayed selection image. In this example, the display screen 131 includes a selection image F1 including a character string “reducing the fee for the lyric print service by 200 yen”, and a selection image F2 including a character string “output a coupon of 200 yen”. , A selection image F3 including a character string “100 yen reduction of the lyric print service fee and 100 yen coupon output” is displayed. In addition, on the display surface 131, a progress status image E1 indicating that the provision of the image service based on the first information processing has ended, and “Thank you for answering the question. Please choose one of the following benefits: . ”Is displayed. The selection images F1, F2, and F3 correspond to the first, second, and third methods described above, respectively. When the user performs an operation of selecting any one of the selection images F1, F2, and F3 while looking at the display surface 131 shown in FIG. 7, the second information processing means 104 is a method corresponding to the selected selection image. The processing for providing the profit is performed as the second information processing.

[3-2] Effect of the Invention In the example of FIG. 7, the profit provided to the user is not different regardless of which method is selected (both profits of 200 yen can be obtained). . In the present embodiment, by making such a selection, a benefit is provided in a method desirable for the user (for example, a method preferred by the user or a method convenient for the user).
In the present embodiment, the benefits provided to the user may differ depending on the method selected. In that case, by increasing the profit of the method that the bearer who bears the profit of the user wants to guide, the user can easily select the method.

[4] Fourth Embodiment Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the above-described embodiments.
[4-1] Functional Configuration In the fourth embodiment, the second information processing unit 104 benefits according to the type or content of the image service provided based on the first information processing performed by the first information processing unit 101. The process of changing the size of the second information processing is performed. The types of image service here are the above-described print service, copy service, scan service, facsimile service, and various content services.

First, a case where the amount of profit changes according to the type of image service will be described. The second information processing unit 104 stores a service type table that associates the type of image service with the amount of profit.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the service type table. In this example, user benefits of “30% reduction”, “20% reduction” and “10% reduction” correspond to image service types “LV3 service”, “LV2 service” and “LV1 service”, respectively. It is attached. The LV3, LV2, and LV1 services are image service types when the average charge per output medium is divided into three levels (LV: Level). Image services whose averages are 300 yen or more, 100 yen or more and less than 300 yen, and less than 100 yen, respectively.

  For example, when a content service with an average fee of 200 yen is provided, the second information processing unit 104 provides a profit of “20% reduction” associated with “LV2 service” in the service type table. In the case where a print service with an average fee of 30 yen is provided as the second information process, a profit of “10% reduction” associated with “LV1 service” in the service type table Is performed as the second information processing. As described above, the second information processing unit 104 performs, as the second information processing, processing for providing the user with a profit corresponding to the type of image service to be provided.

In addition, a case where the amount of profit changes according to the contents of the image service will be described. The second information processing unit 104 stores a service content table in which the content of the image service is associated with the amount of profit.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a service content table. In this example, “30% reduction”, “20% reduction”, and “20% reduction” and “20% reduction” are added to the contents of the image services “output of 10 or more”, “output of 3 or more and less than 10” and “output of less than 3”. The user's profit of “10% reduction” is associated with each other.

  For example, when the first information processing unit 101 provides an image service for outputting an image to 10 or more media, the second information processing unit 104 corresponds to “10 or more output” in the service content table. The process for providing the attached “30% reduction” profit is performed as the second information processing, and when the number is two, it is associated with “less than three” in the service type table. The process for providing the profit “10% reduction” is performed as the second information processing. As described above, the second information processing unit 104 performs, as the second information processing, processing for providing the user with a profit corresponding to the content of the provided image service.

[4-2] Advantages of the Invention For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when profits according to the type of image service are provided, the LV3 service has a larger profit than the LV2 and LV1 services, and thus the most expensive However, it is easy for users to use the service. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, when the profit corresponding to the contents of the image service is provided, the profit obtained as the number of sheets to be output increases, so if nine sheets are output, the tenth sheet is also output. Motivation is likely to occur for users. In this embodiment, for example, it is possible to obtain a greater profit when an image service desired for an image service provider is used. Such use is promoted compared to the configuration provided to the user. In other words, the use of a desired service is promoted compared to the common configuration.

[5] Fifth Embodiment Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the above embodiments.
[5-1] Functional Configuration FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 illustrates an image forming apparatus 10a including an attribute acquisition unit 105 in addition to the units illustrated in FIG.

  The attribute acquisition unit 105 is an example of a unit that acquires a user attribute. User attributes include, for example, physical characteristics such as age and gender, life environment such as current address and family structure, skills such as occupation and special skills, and preferences such as hobbies and collections. , Things related to the field of products you are interested in, and things related to future activities. The attribute acquisition unit 105 is realized by, for example, the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, the display unit 13, the operation unit 14, and the communication unit 15. The control unit 11 causes the display unit 13 to display the above-described image for inputting the user attribute, and the operation data supplied from the operation unit 14 when the user inputs the attribute by looking at the image. Based on this, the user attributes are acquired.

  Note that the method by which the attribute acquisition unit 105 acquires the user's attribute is not limited to the above. For example, when image data is transmitted through communication via a communication terminal 15 and a communication terminal possessed by the user in the print service, attribute data indicating the attribute of the user is also transmitted, thereby obtaining the attribute. The means 105 may acquire the user's attribute. Further, the attribute acquisition unit 105 may acquire the user's answer received by the reception unit 103 as the user attribute. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the attribute acquisition unit 105 acquires the age of the user accepted by the reception unit 103 and the attribute of sports performed every month. The attribute acquisition unit 105 notifies the second information processing unit 104 of the acquired user attribute.

  In the present embodiment, the second information processing unit 104 has a relationship between the attribute acquired by the attribute acquiring unit 105 and the content of the question presented by the presentation unit 102 or the user's answer received by the receiving unit 103. Accordingly, the process of changing the magnitude of profit is performed as the second information processing. The relationship here is represented, for example, by the magnitude of the relationship between the contents of the question and the attributes of the user. The second information processing unit 104 stores, for example, a relevance table in which the contents of questions, user attributes, and their relevance are associated with each other.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an association table. In this example, in response to the question “What kind of car do you want to ride?”, “I have car insurance”, “I have a driver's license but I do not have car insurance” and “ The attribute of the user who does not have a driver's license is associated with the relevance of “large”, “medium” and “small”. When the question of this content is presented, the second information processing unit 104 specifies the magnitude of relevance according to the acquired user attribute (for example, an attribute indicating that the vehicle is insured is acquired). If so, identify the relevance as “large”).

The second information processing unit 104 stores a profit table in which relevance and user profit are associated with each other.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the profit table. In this example, the user's profits of “30% reduction”, “20% reduction”, and “10% reduction” are associated with the relationships “large”, “medium”, and “small”, respectively. The second information processing unit 104 performs, as the second information processing, processing for providing the benefit of the user associated in the benefit table with the relationship specified using the relationship table shown in FIG. 11 (for example, If the relevance is “Large”, a process for providing a profit of “30% reduction” is performed as the second information processing). As described above, the second information processing unit 104 determines the amount of profit according to the relationship between the acquired attribute and the content of the question presented by the presenting unit 102 (relation represented by relevance in this example). The process to change is performed as 2nd information processing.

  Further, the second information processing means 104 is acquired by the attribute acquisition means 105 by storing a relevance table in which the user's answer is associated with the user's attributes and relevance instead of the contents of the question. The process of changing the magnitude of profit according to the relationship between the received attribute and the user's answer received by the receiving means 103 is performed as the second information processing.

  In addition, the 2nd information processing means 104 may perform 2nd information processing not only using the relationship mentioned above but using another relationship. For example, if the content of a question is related to a specific area and the user's attributes indicate the area where the current or past resided, the distance between those areas is used as the above relationship. Also good. In this case, the second information processing unit 104 performs the second information processing so that, for example, a greater profit is provided as the distance between the regions is shorter. In addition, for example, when the content of a question is related to a specific era and the user attribute indicates the age or date of birth, the age of the user in that era is used as the above relationship. Good. In this case, for example, the second information processing means 104 is configured to provide a profit of a different size depending on whether the user was still a child, a student, or a member of society at the time of the question. Perform information processing.

[5-2] Effects of the Invention In the present embodiment, as described above, the benefit based on the user attribute is provided to the user. When a question related to his / her attribute is asked, a user can easily make an answer that accurately reflects his / her thoughts and feelings compared to a question not related to his / her attribute. For example, in the example of FIG. 11, a user who does not have a driver's license can easily think that he / she may ask for the car he / she wants to ride, but he / she has car insurance, that is, he / she is currently in a car. It is easy to think of what kind of car you want to ride next. That is, an answer to a question related to its own attribute is likely to be more valuable than an answer to a question not related to its own attribute. The value to be used here is high in marketing as well as other uses than marketing.

  Also, even if the question itself is not closely related to your own attributes, if your answers include those that are related to your own attributes, the answers will be accurate to your thoughts and feelings. It tends to be reflected in For example, a user in a car can answer one of the following answers: “Can you be interested in insurance?” One of the answers “Cancer insurance”, “Medical insurance”, or “Auto insurance” This is the case. In this case as well, it is easier to obtain answers that are more valuable to use than when answers that are related to their attributes are not included. In the present embodiment, such a high-value answer to be used can be obtained by making it possible to obtain a larger profit as a result of using a high-value answer or a question that is easy to obtain such an answer. It will be promoted compared to other answers. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is easier to obtain an answer that is more valuable to use than in the case of not providing a profit based on the user attribute.

[6] Sixth Embodiment Hereinafter, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the above embodiments. In the above-described fifth embodiment, a profit based on the attribute of the user is provided. In the sixth embodiment, a profit based on the place where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed (hereinafter referred to as “installation place”). Is provided.

[6-1] Functional Configuration In the present embodiment, the second information processing means 104 receives the place where the apparatus is installed (installation place) and the contents of the question presented by the presentation means 102 or the acceptance means 103. The process of changing the magnitude of profit according to the relationship with the given user's answer is performed as the second information processing. As described in the fifth embodiment, the relationship here is also expressed, for example, by the magnitude of the relationship between the installation location and the contents of the question or the user's answer. The second information processing unit 104 stores, for example, a relevance table in which the installation location, the user's answers, and their relevance are associated with each other.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an association table. In this example, “I want to participate in the Lake Biwa Lakeside Marathon”, “I am looking for a property within the commuting range to Osaka”, and “I plan to go abroad” for the installation location “Service area in Shiga” And the relevance of “Large”, “Medium”, and “Small” are associated with each other. FIG. 11 shows only a part of the user's answer. When the user's answer is accepted, the second information processing means 104 identifies the magnitude of the relevance in accordance with the answer (for example, “I want to participate in the Lake Biwa Lakeside Marathon”). If so, identify the relationship as “large”). The second information processing unit 104 performs the second information processing using the identified relevance and, for example, the profit table shown in FIG.

[6-2] Effects of the Invention In the present embodiment, as described above, the benefit based on the installation location of the image forming apparatus 10 is provided to the user. The installation location of the image forming apparatus 10 is a location where the user is currently located. When a question related to a place where the user is present is asked, a user can easily make an answer that accurately reflects his / her thoughts and feelings compared to when a question is not asked. Also, if the answer to a question includes something related to the location where you are currently, the answer is likely to accurately reflect your thoughts and feelings. In the example of Fig. 13, the answer "I want to participate in the Lake Biwa Lakeside Marathon" is a more accurate reflection of the user's thoughts and feelings than the answer "I plan to go abroad". Prone. In this embodiment, for the same reason as in the fifth embodiment, it is easier to obtain a highly valuable answer than when not providing a profit based on the installation location of the image forming apparatus 10. Yes.

[7] Modifications Each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of the implementation of the present invention, and may be modified as follows. Moreover, you may implement combining each embodiment mentioned above and each modification shown below as needed.

[7-1] Method for Presenting Question In each of the embodiments described above, the presenting means 102 presents a question to the user using an image. However, the presenting method is not limited to this, and for example, the question may be presented using sound. Good. In this case, the presentation unit 102 includes a unit that outputs a sound including a speaker or the like, and outputs a voice representing the content of the question. Further, the presentation unit 102 may include a unit that forms Braille indicating the designated character string, thereby expressing the content of the question in Braille. In addition, the presentation unit 102 may present a question to the user via an external device. In this case, for example, the presentation unit 102 transmits the question data indicating the question to the communication terminal possessed by the user via the communication unit 15, and the question is presented by the communication terminal displaying the question indicated by the question data. Is done. As described above, the presenting unit 102 may present the question to the user by any method.

[7-2] Period for Presenting Question In each of the above-described embodiments, the presentation unit 102 continues to present the question until the service process is started and ended. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the service process is ended. The question may continue to be presented, or the presentation of the question may be terminated before the service process ends. The presentation unit 102 may present the question before the service process is started, or may present the question after a predetermined time has elapsed after the service process is started. In any case, it is desirable that the presenting unit 102 presents the question in a period in which the user can answer the question more easily than in other periods.

[7-3] The user determines the number of questions In the above example, the presenting means 102 presents the questions during the determined period. However, the presenting means 102 is not limited to this, and may present the determined number of questions. Good.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration in the present modification. FIG. 14 shows an image forming apparatus 10b including a determining unit 106 in addition to the units shown in FIG. The determination means 106 is an example of a means for determining the number of questions presented to the user based on the user's operation. The determination unit 106 is a function realized by the control unit 11, the display unit 13, and the operation unit 14, for example. The control unit 11 causes the display unit 13 to display an image (hereinafter referred to as “determined image”) for determining the magnitude of profit.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the displayed determination image. On the display surface 131, determination images H1, H2, H3, and H4 and a character string “If you answer a question, you have the following benefits” are displayed. The decision images H1, H2, H3, and H4 are “10% reduction with 2 questions”, “10% reduction with 2 questions”, “10% reduction with 2 questions”, and “no benefits required” Each character string is represented. The control unit 11 determines the number of questions corresponding to the determined image selected by operating the operation unit 14 (for example, when the determined image H1 is selected, determines the number of questions “2”, and determines the determined image. If H4 is selected, the number of questions “0” is determined). The determination unit 106 notifies the presentation unit 102 and the second information processing unit 104 of the number of questions thus determined.

The presenting unit 102 presents the number of questions determined by the determining unit 106. The second information processing unit 104 performs, as the second information processing, processing for providing the user with a profit having a magnitude corresponding to the number of questions determined by the determination unit 106. The second information processing unit 104 stores a profit table in which, for example, the number of questions is associated with the magnitude of profit.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the profit table. In this example, the user's profits “30% reduction”, “20% reduction” and “10% reduction” are associated with the number of questions “10”, “5” and “2”, respectively. . The second information processing unit 104 performs a process for providing the benefit of the user associated with the number of questions notified from the determining unit 106 as the second information processing (for example, the number of questions is “10”). If so, a process for providing a profit of “30% reduction” is performed as the second information processing).

As the number of questions presented increases, it becomes easier for the user to stop answering questions on the way. In this modification, since the user selects the number of questions at his / her own will, when the number of questions increases compared to when the number of questions is not determined based on the user's operation, the answer is completed. It becomes easy to be done.
In the example of FIG. 15, the decision image specifically represents the number of questions, but the number of questions may be represented by character strings such as “large”, “normal”, and “small”. Also in this case, the determination means 106 determines the number of questions according to the selected selected image. Further, the determining unit 106 may display the operator image B1 shown in FIG. 3 and determine the number input by the user's operation as the number of questions.

[7-4] Storage Processing by External Device In the above-described embodiments, the second information processing unit 104 performs storage processing by the charging unit 18 as the second information processing. A process of transmitting fee data indicating a fee to be charged to the user to an external device provided with a means for performing may be performed as the second information processing. An external device here is an apparatus with which the system which performs electronic payment is provided, for example. In short, the storage process may be performed in any way as long as the second information processing is performed to provide the user with a benefit.

[7-5] Provision of Service in Cooperation with External Device The first information processing unit 101 may perform first information processing in cooperation with the external device. For example, the first information processing unit 101 sets a destination of outputting an image in the image service as a communication terminal such as a smartphone possessed by the user. In this case, the first information processing unit 101 performs, as the first information processing, processing for transmitting image data indicating an image such as content to the communication terminal via the communication unit 15 and a network to which the communication unit 15 is connected. .

[7-6] Method that does not use answer status In the above-described embodiments, the second information processing unit 104 performs the second information processing using the method that uses the answer status. 2 Information processing may be performed. For example, when the receiving unit 103 does not receive the user's answer, the second information processing unit 104 performs a process for collecting the service fee to the user as the second information processing, and the receiving unit 103 When the user's answer is accepted, processing for reducing the service fee or processing for not collecting the service fee is performed as the second information processing. The amount to be reduced at this time may be determined in advance. As described above, since the user can obtain the benefit of reducing the service fee or eliminating the collection of the service fee by answering the question, as in the present modification according to whether or not the answer to the question has been accepted. Compared to the case where the second information processing is not performed, more questions can be answered when the question is presented to the user.

[7-7] Interlocking with Purchase of Product The first information processing and the second information processing performed by the image forming apparatus 10 may be interlocked with the purchase of the product by the user.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration in the present modification. FIG. 17 shows an image forming apparatus 10c provided with identification information acquisition means 107 in addition to the means shown in FIG. The identification information acquisition unit 107 is an example of a unit that acquires identification information for identifying a product. The identification information acquisition unit 107 is realized by the control unit 11, the display unit 13, and the operation unit 14, for example.

  In this modification, a certain business operator sells identification information for identifying a product attached to the product. Specifically, the business operator sells a product by attaching a tag indicating identification information represented by, for example, an 8-digit number to a product. The control unit 11 displays an image for inputting product identification information on the display unit 13, and is operated when a user who has purchased the product views the image and inputs identification information attached to the product. Based on the operation data supplied from the unit 14, product identification information is acquired. In addition, the identification information acquisition means 107 may acquire the identification information represented by the tag of the goods read by the image reading part 17, for example. The identification information acquisition unit 107 notifies the acquired identification information to the first information processing unit 101, the presentation unit 102, and the second information processing unit 104.

  The first information processing unit 101 performs, as the first information processing, processing for providing the user with content related to the product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring unit 107. For example, the first information processing unit 101 stores a content table in which product identification information is associated with content related to the product, and is associated with the identification information notified from the identification information acquisition unit 107 in the content table. For example, the recorded content is output to a medium. For example, when the product is a minicar, the first information processing unit 101 outputs a map for playing with the minicar as content. The first information processing means 101 may reflect the map output at this time reflecting a road in the vicinity of the place where the device is installed.

The presenting unit 102 presents a question regarding the product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring unit 107. The presentation unit 102 stores, for example, a question table in which product identification information and a question about the product are associated with each other, and is associated with the identification information notified from the identification information acquisition unit 107 in the question table. Present a question.
When the identification information is acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 107, the second information processing unit 104 performs a process for collecting the fee for the image service from the business operator related to the product identified by the identification information. 2 Performed as information processing. The fee for the image service here may be the above-mentioned service fee (that is, the fee determined for the image service), or a fee different from that (for example, the fee determined by the contract with the provider). Good. Further, the business operator involved in the product may be a business operator who sells the product, or a wholesaler or a dealer of the product.

  In the above case, the second information processing unit 104 may perform a process for not collecting a service fee for the user as the second information processing, or the reception unit 103 may reply to the user. Whether or not to perform the process may be switched depending on whether or not it is accepted. Further, the second information processing unit 104 performs, as the second information processing, various processes for providing the user with a profit of a magnitude corresponding to the answer status described in the above embodiments and modifications. Also good. In short, as long as the second information processing unit 104 performs the second information processing as described above, the second information processing unit 104 performs processing for collecting the image service charge from the business operator related to the product identified by the identification information. .

  In this modification, a user who has purchased a product obtains content related to the product by, for example, operating the image forming apparatus 10 to input identification information and answering a question. At that time, by collecting a part or all of the charge for the content related to the product from the operator related to the product, compared to the case where the second information processing of this modification is not performed, The burden of the fee for obtaining the content is reduced. In addition, since the content is related to the product purchased by the user, the user is likely to be more interested than content related to other products, for example. From the experience that such high-interested content was obtained with a small burden, the user then moved the product with identification information attached, such as that product, compared to the user who did not have such an experience. It becomes easy to purchase. Thus, in this modification, the sale of the product is promoted as compared with the case where the second information processing using the product identification information is not performed.

[7-8] Fee Collection Destination The second information processing unit 104 responds to the content of the image service provided by the first information processing performed by the first information processing unit 101 and the content of the question presented by the presentation unit 102. The process of collecting the image service fee for the other party may be performed as the second information processing. For example, the second information processing unit 104 stores a collection destination table in which image service contents, question contents, and image service charge collection destinations are associated with each other.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the collection destination table. In this example, when the content of the image service is “print service and content service, etc.”, the contents of the questions “store questionnaire” and “product advertisement / promotion” and “users and store operators” and “use” And a collection destination of “manufacturer and product manufacturer” are associated with each other. In addition, when the content of the image service is “product content service”, the contents of the questions “store questionnaire” and “product advertisement / promotion” and the collection destinations “store business” and “product manufacturer” Are associated with each other. The “product content service” is a service that outputs content related to the product described in the above modification.

In this modification, the presenting unit 102 notifies the second information processing unit 104 of the contents of the presented question. The second information processing unit 104 sends the image service information to the collection destination associated in the collection destination table with the content of the image service notified from the first information processing unit 101 and the content of the question notified from the presentation unit 102. A process for collecting a fee is performed as the second information processing.
In this modification, the collection destination of the image service fee is distributed according to the content of the provided image service and the content of the presented question. This method of distribution includes, for example, how the user's responses are used for marketing, for example, the business that wants to use the product for sales promotion, etc. (for example, the ratio of the number of questions to be prepared) Etc.).

[7-9] Answers to remaining questions If the number of questions presented by the presenting means 102 is determined, provision of an image service may be terminated before all questions are answered. In that case, the presentation means 102 may output the remaining question to a medium and present it to the user, or use the question remaining when the image service is used next time using the above-described user identification information. May be presented to the person. Also, the presentation unit 102 outputs an electronic marker such as a QR (Quick Response) code indicating the access destination of the own device to the medium, and the user reads the electronic marker with a smartphone or the like so that the user can access the own device and remain. The question may be presented. Moreover, the presentation means 102 may transmit question data representing the remaining questions directly to the user's smartphone or the like. The access destination in that case may be an email address registered in advance by the user, an access destination of the user registered in the image service used by the user, or the like.

[7-10] Scale of profit The factors that determine the volume of profit provided to the user are not limited to those described above. For example, if the question to be presented is of a format in which characters or the like can be freely input instead of the selection formula, the magnitude of profit may be determined according to the number of input characters. At that time, the magnitude of the profit may be determined depending on whether or not the determined keyword is included. For example, if the keyword is included, the image service fee is reduced by 30%, and if it is not included, it is reduced by 10%.

[7-11] Progress status of service processing The presentation unit 102 may inform the user of the progress status of service processing by a method different from the method of displaying the progress status image E1 shown in FIG. The presenting means 102 may display an hourglass image, for example, so that all the sand falls when the service processing ends. In addition, the presenting means 102 may be configured such that the displayed number gradually decreases and becomes “0” when the service processing ends, or the processes executed in the service processing are displayed in order. May be. Further, the presentation unit 102 may convey the progress of the service process by voice.

[7-12] End Timing of Service Processing For example, when the number of questions presented to the user is determined, the providing unit 101 estimates the time at which the answer to the question ends, and ends at the estimated time. The service processing may be advanced while adjusting as described above. The providing unit 101 estimates the time when the answer ends using, for example, the answer time described above. The providing unit 101 outputs the last medium when the user performs an operation to answer the last question, for example, when providing a service that outputs images to a plurality of media. May be. According to this modification, the user is not restrained to answer the question until after the service is provided.

[7-13] Information Processing Apparatus and Service Provided to User The present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus, but can be applied to other information processing apparatuses. For example, the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus such as a kiosk terminal that provides some service to a user. Examples of kiosk terminals include terminals installed in restaurants and the like, terminals installed in sightseeing spots and guiding tourist spots, terminals installed in stations and public facilities and guiding facilities, and the like. The present invention is also applied to an information processing apparatus such as an office machine used in an office or an apparatus that displays an advertisement on a touch screen.

  The service provided to the user is not limited to the image service described above. When the above kiosk terminal is used as an information processing apparatus, services such as acceptance of merchandise orders, guidance on sightseeing spots, and guidance in facilities are provided to users. In this way, any service may be provided by the information processing apparatus as long as it is useful for the user. In short, the information processing apparatus may be any apparatus as long as it realizes each unit shown in FIG.

[7-14] Operation according to a certain matter The tables used in the operation described with reference to FIG. 4 and the like are not limited to those shown in these drawings. For example, the number of rows in the table is not limited as long as it is two or more. Moreover, what is arranged in ascending order (or descending order) may be rearranged in descending order (or ascending order), or may be rearranged regardless of such order. Further, without using a table, the contents of each cell may be represented by numerical values, and values calculated using mathematical formulas may be used. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the benefit of the user is to discount a value obtained by multiplying the number of answers by 3% (for example, 15% if the number of answers is 5). In short, in these operations, it is only necessary that other items (in the case of FIG. 4 the benefit of the user) are determined according to certain items (the number of responses in the example of FIG. 4).

[7-15] Category of Invention In addition to an information processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, the present invention can be understood as an information processing method for realizing processing performed by the information processing apparatus. The process here is, for example, the accounting process shown in FIG. The present invention can also be understood as a program for causing a computer such as an information processing apparatus to function as the means shown in FIG. This program may be provided in the form of a recording medium such as an optical disk storing the program, or may be provided in the form of being downloaded to a computer via a network such as the Internet, and making it available for installation. You may do.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Memory | storage part, 13 ... Display part, 14 ... Operation part, 15 ... Communication part, 16 ... Image forming part, 17 ... Image reading part, 18 ... Charge part, 101 ... First information processing means 102 ... Presentation means 103 ... Acceptance means 104 ... Second information processing means 105 ... Attribute acquisition means 106 ... Determination means 107 ... Identification information acquisition means

Claims (9)

First information processing means for performing first information processing for providing a service to a user;
Presenting means for presenting a question to the user who uses the service provided based on the first information processing performed by the first information processing means;
Accepting means for accepting the user's answer to the question presented by the presenting means;
A second information processing means for performing second information processing relating to a charge for the service, wherein if the accepting means does not accept the user's reply, a charge determined for the service is collected from the user; When the receiving means receives the user's answer, the processing for reducing the determined fee or the processing for not collecting the determined fee is performed as the second information processing. Second information processing means for performing as the second information processing;
An identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a product,
The first information processing means performs, as the first information processing, a process for providing a user with content related to the product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means,
The presenting means presents a question regarding the product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring means,
When the identification information is acquired by the identification information acquisition means, the second information processing means performs a process for collecting a fee for the service from an operator related to the product identified by the identification information. An information processing apparatus characterized by performing as second information processing. Determining means for determining the number of questions presented to the user based on an operation of the user;
The presenting means presents the number of questions determined by the determining means;
The said 2nd information processing means performs the said 2nd information processing for providing the said user with the profit of the magnitude | size according to the number determined by the said determination means. The said 2nd information processing means characterized by the above-mentioned. Information processing device. Attribute acquisition means for acquiring the attribute of the user,
The second information processing means is a process for providing the user with a profit of a size corresponding to the number determined by the determination means, the attribute acquired by the attribute acquisition means, and the presentation The process for changing the magnitude of the profit according to the content of the question presented by the means or the relationship with the user's answer accepted by the accepting means is performed as the second information processing. Item 3. The information processing device according to Item 2 . The second information processing means is a process for providing the user with a profit of a size corresponding to the number determined by the determination means, the place where the own apparatus is installed, and the presentation means The process of changing the magnitude of the profit according to the content of the question presented by the user or the relationship with the user's answer accepted by the accepting means is performed as the second information processing. The information processing apparatus according to 2 or 3 . Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a product;
First information processing means for performing first information processing for providing a user with content related to the product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means;
Presenting means for presenting a question regarding the product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring means to the user who uses the service provided based on the first information processing performed by the first processing means. When,
Accepting means for accepting the user's answer to the question presented by the presenting means;
A second information processing means for performing second information processing relating to a charge for the service, wherein if the accepting means does not accept the user's answer, a charge determined for the service is collected by the user; In order to collect the service fee from the service provider associated with the product identified by the identification information when the accepting means accepts the user's reply. An information processing apparatus comprising: a second information processing unit that performs the process as the second information processing. First information processing means for performing first information processing for providing a service to a user;
Presenting means for presenting a question to the user who uses the service provided based on the first information processing performed by the first information processing means;
Accepting means for accepting the user's answer to the question presented by the presenting means;
Obtaining means for obtaining user identification information for identifying a user associated with the answer;
A process for providing the user with a profit of a magnitude corresponding to the status of the user's answer, which is a value used in a commercial transaction and according to the accepted status of the user's answer Second information processing means for outputting value information indicating the value of the magnitude, wherein the number of responses to the response associated with the user identification information of the user in the past is set as the status of the user's response An information processing apparatus comprising: the second information processing means used. Computer
First information processing means for performing first information processing for providing a service to a user;
Presenting means for presenting a question to the user who uses the service provided based on the first information processing performed by the first information processing means;
Accepting means for accepting the user's answer to the question presented by the presenting means;
A second information processing means for performing second information processing relating to a charge for the service, wherein if the accepting means does not accept the user's reply, a charge determined for the service is collected from the user; When the receiving means receives the user's answer, the processing for reducing the determined fee or the processing for not collecting the determined fee is performed as the second information processing. Second information processing means for performing as the second information processing;
Function as identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a product,
The first information processing means performs, as the first information processing, a process for providing a user with content related to the product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means,
The presenting means presents a question regarding the product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring means,
When the identification information is acquired by the identification information acquisition means, the second information processing means performs a process for collecting a fee for the service from an operator related to the product identified by the identification information. A program to be executed as second information processing. Computer
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a product;
First information processing means for performing first information processing for providing a user with content related to the product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means;
Presenting means for presenting a question regarding the product identified by the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring means to the user who uses the service provided based on the first information processing performed by the first processing means. When,
Accepting means for accepting the user's answer to the question presented by the presenting means;
A second information processing means for performing second information processing relating to a charge for the service, wherein if the accepting means does not accept the user's answer, a charge determined for the service is collected by the user; In order to collect the service fee from the service provider associated with the product identified by the identification information when the accepting means accepts the user's reply. The program for functioning as a 2nd information processing means to perform said process as said 2nd information processing. Computer
First information processing means for performing first information processing for providing a service to a user;
Presenting means for presenting a question to the user who uses the service provided based on the first information processing performed by the first information processing means;
Accepting means for accepting the user's answer to the question presented by the presenting means;
Obtaining means for obtaining user identification information for identifying a user associated with the answer;
A process for providing the user with a profit of a magnitude corresponding to the status of the user's answer, which is a value used in a commercial transaction and according to the accepted status of the user's answer Second information processing means for outputting value information indicating the value of the magnitude, wherein the number of responses to the response associated with the user identification information of the user in the past is set as the status of the user's response A program for functioning as second information processing means to be used.

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